Puppy thieves target same Thornton pet store

KUSA - Police are looking for suspects in two separate puppy theft incidents in Thornton.

On March 10 at 4:30 p.m., officers responded to the Pet Ranch on 3823 E. 120th Ave. following a report of a stolen Maltese/silky terrier puppy.

Witnesses saw the man pick up the puppy, place it in his jacket and walk out of the store. The store says the puppy was gold in color and valued at $1,099.

The suspect is described as a white male, in his 20s and approximately 5 feet 6 inches in height. He has five stars tattooed on the right side of his neck, an unknown name tattooed on the left side of his neck and a profanity tattooed on the knuckles of both hands. He was wearing black jeans and dark blue "security type" jacket with an American flag on the left shoulder.

On March 14 at 7:10 p.m., officers were again called to the Pet Ranch on the report of the stolen puppy.

Witnesses say they saw what appeared to be a family of four looking at a black and tan Chihuahua puppy valued at $799.

According to the witnesses, the man concealed the puppy under his shirt and then walked out of the store with a woman and two small children.

The second suspect is described as a white male, approximately in his late 30s to early 40s in age, approximately 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 8 inches in height, 160 to 180 pounds, short spiked dirty blond hair, multiple tattoos on his arms. He was last seen wearing a brown shirt and dark jeans. The woman with him was described as Hispanic, approximately late 30s to early 40s in age, dark shoulder length hair, approximately 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 9 inches in height, 125 to 130 pounds, skinny, last seen wearing a gray shirt. The two small children were girls, approximately 3 and 5 years of age.

Police say the two cases do not appear to be connected.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Metro Area Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867, or call the Thornton Police Department.